Does Urine Really Treat a Jellyfish Sting?

Rare Disorder Keeps Girl in the Dark

Online Therapy Targets Depression

Kids Fighting Illness Feel Freedom on the Water

Nightly News
July 17, 2015

Doctors: President Bush 41 Remains in Fair Condition

NBC News
July 16, 2015

This content comes from Closed Captioning that was broadcast along with this program.

>>>we're back with a fascinating
sign of the times
. as the population ages, putting greater demands on
health care
, some hospitals are responding with an innovative idea.
emergency rooms
tailored for the needs of older people. our chief medical editor dr.
nancy snyderman
has the story tonight.

>>while
will turner
is in the hospital, he's still in good spirits.

>>that
's wonderful
. these cameras are unbelievable.

>>texting his kids to let him know he's okay after he was rushed to the
emergency department
short 6m of breath.

>>it was a completely different experience than i've ever had before.

>> reporter: different because this tech-savvy senior is in the new geriatric department spearheaded by physicians, including dr. ballman, whose grandmother was rushed to the
emergency room
after a broken pelvis.

>>it's frustrating that no one seemed to be paying attention to her, that she was kind of lost in the shuffle.

>>we have 70 million
baby boomers
who are going to be turning age 65. those
baby boomers
have increased
health care
needs. and the
emergency departments
have to be ready.

>> reporter: this is a new trend. getting to an
aging population
of americans, and improving their
medical care
in the
emergency room
. and they're doing it by catering to the specific needs of
baby boomers
and their parents.

>>just like a pediatric unit, trying to meet the needs of the ki kids. we're getting a book card, a boomer book cart.

>> reporter: fully equipped with eight beds and six exam rooms, it's designed to have less noise than a typical e.r.

>>there's no metal te metal sound.

>> reporter: non-skid floors, rails along the walls and artificial skylights that change with the
time of day
to prevent confusion.

>>hello.

>> reporter: volunteers are on hand to interact with patients. and it's what dr. ballman called the geri pad so patients can listen to music, ask for food.

>>they say thank you 20 times a day. every time i pass their room or bed, they are very grateful.

>> reporter: 94-year-old turner is among those previously overwhelmed by his experience.

>>at my age, you've been in a few
emergency rooms
. and nothing has equaled the person-to-person attention that you get here.